australia 195 (Mukesh 6-46) and 226 (McSweeney 88*, Webster 61*) for 3 beats. India A 107 (Doggett 6-15) and 312 (Sai Sudharsan 103, Padikkal 88, O’Neill 4-55) with 7 wickets.
India A were at the center of a controversy over a ball change before the start of their final match against Australia A in Mackay, with the umpire being told he had made the change due to scratches.
Audio explaining why the ball was changed was captured on a stump microphone. Fox Cricket>, Craig said: “Scratch and we’ll change the ball. Let’s play, no more discussion.” Kishan replied: “So we’re going to play with this ball… that’s a very foolish decision.”
Craig responded: “Excuse me. You will be reported for dissent. That is inappropriate behavior. Because of your behavior, we changed the ball.”
It was initially unclear when the damage to the ball occurred. Importantly, however, Australia A failed to score five penalties as stipulated in regulation 41.3.4 when the referee ruled that the ball had been “unfairly altered”.
“If the umpire is of the opinion that the condition of the ball has been unfairly altered by a player of either team, he shall ask the captain of the opposing team whether he wishes to substitute the ball. If necessary, in the case of a batsman, the batsman at the wicket may replace the captain. .
“41.3.4.1 – When a replacement ball is requested, the umpire shall select a ball with similar wear to the previous ball immediately before the infringement and use it immediately.
“41.3.4.2 – Whether or not a substitute ball has been chosen to be used, the bowler’s final umpire shall award a penalty run of 5 runs to the opposition and, where appropriate, inform the batsman on the wicket and the captain of the fielding side that the ball has been changed and the reasons why. Inform the batting captain as soon as possible.
“The referees must report the incident as soon as possible after the end of the match to the governing body of the offending side and any governing body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as they deem appropriate against the captain, any other individuals involved and any other individuals , if appropriate, team.”
Altering the state of the ball is a level 3 charge under Cricket Australia’s code of conduct.
The regulations are as follows: “Any action that is likely to change the state of the ball, unless specifically permitted under Act 41.3.2, may be considered ‘unfair’. Accordingly, the following actions are not permitted (the list of these actions is as follows): ( a) intentionally throwing a ball to the ground for the purpose of roughing it up, (b) applying any artificial substance to the ball or applying any non-artificial substance for any other purpose, rather than (c) lifting or disturbing the seams of the ball; “to (d) scratch the surface of the ball with one’s finger or thumb nail or with any other instrument.”
Cricket Australia has been contacted for comment.
Kishan is not part of India’s Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar series and neither is India A captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, in the XI who featured in the first game Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Reddy and Prasidh Krishna will remain for the Test series.
As India A failed to make an early breakthrough on the final morning, Sai Sudharsan made the move to send a rather friendly spin to six overs.
More to follow
Andrew McGlashan is deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo.
